Chelsea have enjoyed a promising start to the summer transfer window, with Marco Palestra edging closer and closer to Stamford Bridge.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has urged Chelsea to sign Mike Maignan from AC Milan. The 30-year-old goalkeeper was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge last summer when Enzo Maresca was keen to bolster his defence, but a deal failed to materialise.
In June last year, football.london understood that the Blues were willing to submit a £13million bid for Maignan, who only had 12 months or so left on his contract at the San Siro. The Italian giants wanted in excess of £20m for his signature, but Chelsea refused to pay the asking price, so talks hit a brick wall.
Eager to justify his place between the sticks, Robert Sanchez made quite the impression at the Club World Cup, which the Blues won, claiming the Golden Glove award. Rather than re-enter the market for a new shot-stopper, Chelsea settled for the Spaniard.
In an interview with 10bet, Hasselbaink claimed that the Blues should reignite interest in Maignan. The Chelsea legend said: “They were close before with the French goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who is obviously at AC Milan.
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“I think if Chelsea is going to go for a goalkeeper now, they need somebody who is a little bit older with a bit of character and a big presence. I wouldn’t be able to give you a specific name who is available right now, but when they were trying to get Maignan, I was very happy.
“I like the idea of someone like that coming into the club – somebody coming from a massive club with a top mentality who has always been under pressure to deliver and win, whether at AC Milan or with the French national team.
“He will transmit that standard to the other players. That’s the kind of profile you need to bring in,” added Hasselbaink, who then ruled out Diogo Costa as an option. “I don’t really like him for them, to be honest.
“I think if they’re going to look at a goalkeeper, there is better out there. Don’t get me wrong, he’s an international, he plays in the Champions League every year for Porto, and he does okay for the national team.
“But no, I don’t think that he’s top, top tier. I think Chelsea can do better.”
Maignan, who was set to become a free agent this summer, signed a new contract with the Rossoneri in January, extending his stay until at least June 2031. Massimiliano Allegri, who has since been sacked by AC Milan, was delighted to keep his skipper.
“Maignan remains the captain and is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe,” said the former Rossoneri boss. “I am very happy he decided to stay.”
AC Milan have since appointed Ruben Amorim, who will hope to convince Maignan to stay at the San Siro. Meanwhile, Chelsea have enjoyed a promising start to the summer transfer window, agreeing a deal for Marco Palestra.
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